Rh(I)-catalyzed asymmetric 1,2-addition to α-diketones with chiral sulfur-alkene hybrid ligands.

This paper describes a Rh(I)-catalyzed highly efficient and enantioselective 1,2-addition of arylboronic acids to α-diketones with the use of a simple sulfur-alkene hybrid ligand. With as low as a 0.1 mol % catalyst loading, a variety of optically active α-hydroxyketones can be furnished in high yields with excellent ee's.